Have you ever wondered what happens to adults with multiple, severe disabilities when they are transitioning from school to adult life? C.E.R.T.S. is a Delaware based nonprofit that was originally founded to serve these adults when they are no longer able to stay in school. With no maximum admission age, these individuals find comfort and belonging during their action-packed days at the Smyrna and Newark locations.

C.E.R.T.S. provides services that are second to none. At each location, the adults have full time onsite nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The adults also have access to person centered choices. Person centered choices are an intricate part of C.E.R.T.S. programming and allow each individual to participate in activities that satisfy personal interests rather than group interests. The options include:

Community Outings

MOVE® (Functional Mobility)

Assistive Technology

“Paws for People” Pet Therapy

Art Therapy (Pottery, Art, Music)

Adaptive Sports

Adaptive Games, and Cooking/Baking (completed through hand over hand assistance)

A great example of the success of these programs comes by way of the art program. Recently, C.E.R.T.S. was awarded a grant through the Kent County Fund for the Arts, managed by the CenDel Foundation. The grant is supporting the Art Therapy Program at C.E.R.T.S.’s Smyrna location. Art therapy is a very popular and effective program. Assistant Executive Director Terry Cipolla said, “Art is something we are very proud of, and something that we have a lot of fun with. We have found that this program truly delights and engages our participants.” The service that this local nonprofit offers to their students and their families is absolutely life changing.

C.E.R.T.S., with the help of the CenDel Foundation, is certainly living out their mission of “enriching the lives of adults with multiple severe disabilities.”

Picture Caption: This Thanksgiving tree was completed as part of C.E.R.T.S’s CenDel supported Art Therapy Program.